[c++] Can I use if (pointer) instead of if (pointer != NULL)?

Question is answered, but I would like to add my points.

I will always prefer if(pointer) instead of if(pointer != NULL) and if(!pointer) instead of if(pointer == NULL):

  • It is simple, small
  • Less chances to write a buggy code, suppose if I misspelled equality check operator == with =
    if(pointer == NULL) can be misspelled if(pointer = NULL) So I will avoid it, best is just if(pointer).
    (I also suggested some Yoda condition in one answer, but that is diffrent matter)

  • Similarly for while (node != NULL && node->data == key), I will simply write while (node && node->data == key) that is more obvious to me (shows that using short-circuit).

  • (may be stupid reason) Because NULL is a macro, if suppose some one redefine by mistake with other value.

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